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William Falkland #1
The Royalist
William Falkland is a dead man.
A Royalist dragoon who fought against Parliament, he is currently awaiting execution at Newgate prison. Yet when he is led away from Newgate with a sack over his head, it is not the gallows to which they take him, but to Oliver Cromwell himself.
Cromwell has heard of Falkland's reputation as an investigator and now more than ever he needs a man of conscience. His New Model Army are wintering in Devon but mysterious deaths are sweeping the camp and, in return for his freedom, Falkland is despatched to uncover the truth.
With few friends and a slew of enemies, Falkland soon learns there is a dark demon at work, one who won't go down without a fight. But how can he protect the troops from such a monster and, more importantly, will he be able to protect himself?
A Royalist dragoon who fought against Parliament, he is currently awaiting execution at Newgate prison. Yet when he is led away from Newgate with a sack over his head, it is not the gallows to which they take him, but to Oliver Cromwell himself.
Cromwell has heard of Falkland's reputation as an investigator and now more than ever he needs a man of conscience. His New Model Army are wintering in Devon but mysterious deaths are sweeping the camp and, in return for his freedom, Falkland is despatched to uncover the truth.
With few friends and a slew of enemies, Falkland soon learns there is a dark demon at work, one who won't go down without a fight. But how can he protect the troops from such a monster and, more importantly, will he be able to protect himself?
313 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2014
9 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Deas
2 books8 followersAka Stephen Deas and Nathan Hawke
S.J. Deas was born in 1968. He once set fire to Wales. Well one bit of Wales. Twice. When not burning principalities he managed to study theoretical physics at Cambridge, get a job at BAE, marry and have two children. He now lives in Essex.
S.J. Deas was born in 1968. He once set fire to Wales. Well one bit of Wales. Twice. When not burning principalities he managed to study theoretical physics at Cambridge, get a job at BAE, marry and have two children. He now lives in Essex.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 14, 2021
Read this book in 2014, and its the 1st part of the so far two-part mini-series, featuring William Falkland, created by the author, S.J. Deas.
The historical details concerning this period of his tory are wonderfully interwoven within this English Civil War story.
This book is set in the year AD 1645, and our main character is former Royalist dragoon who fought against Parliament, William Falkland.
While at Newgate prison he escorted away, in what he thinks to be executed, but instead he's taken to Oliver Cromwell himself.
Having heard of Falkland's reputation as an investigator with a conscience, Oliver Cromwell sends him to Devon to assist Cromwell's New Model Army, where sudden deaths are occurring, and to discover the truth behind these deaths in return for his freedom.
With few friends and many enemies, Falkland sonn learns that there's a demon at work committing these crimes, and in a desparate effort he must try not only to save the troops but also very impotantly himself.
What is to come is an exciting and atmospheric Civil War adventure, in which Falkland will need to use his wit and cunning to overcome this devilish enemy, and to neutralize him in order to save the New Model Army in Devon in the south of England.
Very much recommended, I've read and reviewed also its follow up "The Protector", if interested look it up and enjoy it, but to come back to this thrilling historical adventure I would like to call this delightful book: "A Most Promising William Falkland Start"!
The historical details concerning this period of his tory are wonderfully interwoven within this English Civil War story.
This book is set in the year AD 1645, and our main character is former Royalist dragoon who fought against Parliament, William Falkland.
While at Newgate prison he escorted away, in what he thinks to be executed, but instead he's taken to Oliver Cromwell himself.
Having heard of Falkland's reputation as an investigator with a conscience, Oliver Cromwell sends him to Devon to assist Cromwell's New Model Army, where sudden deaths are occurring, and to discover the truth behind these deaths in return for his freedom.
With few friends and many enemies, Falkland sonn learns that there's a demon at work committing these crimes, and in a desparate effort he must try not only to save the troops but also very impotantly himself.
What is to come is an exciting and atmospheric Civil War adventure, in which Falkland will need to use his wit and cunning to overcome this devilish enemy, and to neutralize him in order to save the New Model Army in Devon in the south of England.
Very much recommended, I've read and reviewed also its follow up "The Protector", if interested look it up and enjoy it, but to come back to this thrilling historical adventure I would like to call this delightful book: "A Most Promising William Falkland Start"!
September 1, 2014
It is 1645 and England is embroiled in a bitter and divisive Civil War. William Falkland – former royalist cavalier – is languishing in Newgate, awaiting what he assumes will be his execution. When he finds himself taken from his cell, hooded and shackled, he even welcomes his fate. However, he finds himself taken not to the scaffold, but to Oliver Cromwell himself. This is no normal conflict and Falkland is no normal prisoner. A man who disobeyed his king in the name of justice interests Cromwell, for he has a problem which requires a man of conscience.
Cromwell has created the New Model army to hopefully end the war. It is a new and revolutionary idea – an army of men paid and fed to fight. However, while the New Model winters in the town of Crediton, under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, three young soldiers have committed suicide. Now Cromwell offers Falkland a chance at life if he investigates. Suddenly, Falkland finds that he wants to live and to find out whether his family are safe, so, along with his escort Henry Warbeck, he sets out across an England which is divided, plundered, cold and hungry, to find the truth.
Much of this novel takes place in the army camp at Crediton and it is an utterly believable portrait of a country at war with itself. William Falkland is a character who has lost faith with his cause and with religion; although the divisions in the army camp run deep. The New Model is full of committed Puritans, but also by those pressed into service from the royalist and Catholic troops. Despite the propaganda, this is not a united army; but a divided and uncomfortable group of men settled in a small community, most of whom have been forced from their homes. Billeted with a local woman, Miss Cain, Falkland is aware that solving the mystery of suicides among the young boys in the camp will be the only way he can go in search of his family. However, it would be folly to try to escape, when he is still virtually a prisoner himself and he is also aware that virtually everyone is either lying to him, or spying on him. As Falkland tries to discover what drove those boys to suicide, he uncovers some uncomfortable truths about the New Model army and what drives them.
This really is an excellent and enjoyable historical mystery, with some great characters. William Falkland is a believable hero, Miss Cain is brave and resourceful and Henry Warbeck has certainly more depth than first appears. However, despite their bravery, they are always totally realistic and the author paints a very believable portrait of the place and time. You can almost feel the cold as you are reading and feel the malign presence of the witching tree, where the boys died, and which stretches its branches out towards the camp. For this is a place not only filled with soldiers, but with boys all too young to fight and those on the margins who want only to survive this war.
I really hope that this turns into a series, as I would love to know what happens to William Falkland and whether more adventures await him. An excellent novel and bound to appeal to fans of historical mysteries who like good characters and an interesting setting. Lastly, I received copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
Cromwell has created the New Model army to hopefully end the war. It is a new and revolutionary idea – an army of men paid and fed to fight. However, while the New Model winters in the town of Crediton, under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, three young soldiers have committed suicide. Now Cromwell offers Falkland a chance at life if he investigates. Suddenly, Falkland finds that he wants to live and to find out whether his family are safe, so, along with his escort Henry Warbeck, he sets out across an England which is divided, plundered, cold and hungry, to find the truth.
Much of this novel takes place in the army camp at Crediton and it is an utterly believable portrait of a country at war with itself. William Falkland is a character who has lost faith with his cause and with religion; although the divisions in the army camp run deep. The New Model is full of committed Puritans, but also by those pressed into service from the royalist and Catholic troops. Despite the propaganda, this is not a united army; but a divided and uncomfortable group of men settled in a small community, most of whom have been forced from their homes. Billeted with a local woman, Miss Cain, Falkland is aware that solving the mystery of suicides among the young boys in the camp will be the only way he can go in search of his family. However, it would be folly to try to escape, when he is still virtually a prisoner himself and he is also aware that virtually everyone is either lying to him, or spying on him. As Falkland tries to discover what drove those boys to suicide, he uncovers some uncomfortable truths about the New Model army and what drives them.
This really is an excellent and enjoyable historical mystery, with some great characters. William Falkland is a believable hero, Miss Cain is brave and resourceful and Henry Warbeck has certainly more depth than first appears. However, despite their bravery, they are always totally realistic and the author paints a very believable portrait of the place and time. You can almost feel the cold as you are reading and feel the malign presence of the witching tree, where the boys died, and which stretches its branches out towards the camp. For this is a place not only filled with soldiers, but with boys all too young to fight and those on the margins who want only to survive this war.
I really hope that this turns into a series, as I would love to know what happens to William Falkland and whether more adventures await him. An excellent novel and bound to appeal to fans of historical mysteries who like good characters and an interesting setting. Lastly, I received copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
December 16, 2018
I have been interested in the English Civil War for a number of years and have read some non fiction about it but have only recently begun to read the growing number of crime novels set during the period. I quite liked this one but had a couple of problems with it: although the portrayal of Cromwell is very cameo, the notion that he was an opportunist who did not actually believe in the Puritan ethic flies in the face of a lot of the documentation of the time. I've certain read about his dark night of the soul periods when he prayed incessantly, convinced like a lot of committed Puritans that he was dammed irrespective of any good works etc that he might do. So that didn't square with ime. There were also a few phrases here and there which at the time jarred a bit as just too modern in phrasing, and the constant use of 'Miss' for the main female character in the book was very anachronistic as women of the period would have been addressed as Mistress - Miss is very nineteenth century.
Having said that, I quite liked the portrayal of some of the characters, especially the female lead, although the tendency to have similarly named characters such as two young men who were brothers but with different surnames which both began with 'W' was a bit confusing - eventually I gave up trying to keep them straight as it didn't particularly matter since both had died before the book's action commences. But otherwise quite an interesting read with some vivid descriptions of squalid deprivation in the middle of a seventeenth century winter after six years of devastating war. A solid 3 stars therefore.
Having said that, I quite liked the portrayal of some of the characters, especially the female lead, although the tendency to have similarly named characters such as two young men who were brothers but with different surnames which both began with 'W' was a bit confusing - eventually I gave up trying to keep them straight as it didn't particularly matter since both had died before the book's action commences. But otherwise quite an interesting read with some vivid descriptions of squalid deprivation in the middle of a seventeenth century winter after six years of devastating war. A solid 3 stars therefore.
April 4, 2015
book based in devon during the English civil war and Falkland is sent by oliver Cromwell to investigate several deaths in the new model army but nothing seems as it is as Falkland looks closer and several factors at play in his historical crime/fiction book. enjoyed this book which seems will be a series based in the latter part of the civil war
March 27, 2015
Historical fiction is pretty much uncharted territory for me, I've never really been one for history, but thanks to Mr Deas I am now a happy little convert!
The year is 1645, and the story begins with William Falkland – a Cavalier for King Charles I – imprisoned for disobeying the King's orders. Falkland believes he is being taken to the gallows, but in fact is taken to none other than Oliver Cromwell himself. Cromwell recruits Falkland to investigate some suspicious suicides that have been occurring within the New Model Army camp. And thus the mystery begins...
I think there's a lot to be said for first person narrative – I'm a big fan of this writing style and it almost always guarantees my immediate interest. I must admit I worried initially about how much of Ye Olde English I would be subjected to – people of yore tended to go all around the houses to say something didn't they?! - but I actually really enjoyed the prose. There was enough to add to the authenticity, but not so much that I needed the Rosetta Stone!
And talking of authenticity, Deas has a real skill for scene-setting. I felt that I had been dragged right back to the 17th Century and it was a fantastic trip! I truly felt the chill of the harsh English winter and its knee-deep snow. My nose wrinkled at the filth encrusted people living in a time when hygiene was most certainly not a top priority. My stomach turned at what passed for a decent meal – and what didn't but was eaten anyway! And I physically winced during the extensively detailed violent scenes.
But above all, I was most engrossed with the characters in this story. Our protagonist, Falkland, was a bad soldier but a good man. His depth was first-class. A man who hates himself for holding onto the slightest morsel of hope during such desperate times. A man who clings to the memory of his family and the hope he will one day be reunited with them. A man of duty and conscience, who will disobey his own King for what is right and just. A man who berates himself for caring for a woman who is not his wife. A man who will risk his life to do what is right by the memory of young soldiers whom he has never met. Basically, I loved the guy! Other characters – Cromwell, Fairfax, Warbeck, etc. - were all each as detailed as the next. This story had some real nasty people in it – but not your panto bad guys; these were real everyday men, mostly living very ordinary lives for the time – and they were terrifying!
Deas has delivered an intriguing, drama-laden, heart-thumping crime thriller with historical accuracy and authenticity. I found myself sorely disappointed at the last page; not with the ending, but that it had ended! Then, lo and behold, I discover that The Royalist was merely the first instalment in the William Falkland series, and a very big smile returned to my face.
My thanks to the publisher for providing this book for review.
The year is 1645, and the story begins with William Falkland – a Cavalier for King Charles I – imprisoned for disobeying the King's orders. Falkland believes he is being taken to the gallows, but in fact is taken to none other than Oliver Cromwell himself. Cromwell recruits Falkland to investigate some suspicious suicides that have been occurring within the New Model Army camp. And thus the mystery begins...
I think there's a lot to be said for first person narrative – I'm a big fan of this writing style and it almost always guarantees my immediate interest. I must admit I worried initially about how much of Ye Olde English I would be subjected to – people of yore tended to go all around the houses to say something didn't they?! - but I actually really enjoyed the prose. There was enough to add to the authenticity, but not so much that I needed the Rosetta Stone!
And talking of authenticity, Deas has a real skill for scene-setting. I felt that I had been dragged right back to the 17th Century and it was a fantastic trip! I truly felt the chill of the harsh English winter and its knee-deep snow. My nose wrinkled at the filth encrusted people living in a time when hygiene was most certainly not a top priority. My stomach turned at what passed for a decent meal – and what didn't but was eaten anyway! And I physically winced during the extensively detailed violent scenes.
But above all, I was most engrossed with the characters in this story. Our protagonist, Falkland, was a bad soldier but a good man. His depth was first-class. A man who hates himself for holding onto the slightest morsel of hope during such desperate times. A man who clings to the memory of his family and the hope he will one day be reunited with them. A man of duty and conscience, who will disobey his own King for what is right and just. A man who berates himself for caring for a woman who is not his wife. A man who will risk his life to do what is right by the memory of young soldiers whom he has never met. Basically, I loved the guy! Other characters – Cromwell, Fairfax, Warbeck, etc. - were all each as detailed as the next. This story had some real nasty people in it – but not your panto bad guys; these were real everyday men, mostly living very ordinary lives for the time – and they were terrifying!
Deas has delivered an intriguing, drama-laden, heart-thumping crime thriller with historical accuracy and authenticity. I found myself sorely disappointed at the last page; not with the ending, but that it had ended! Then, lo and behold, I discover that The Royalist was merely the first instalment in the William Falkland series, and a very big smile returned to my face.
My thanks to the publisher for providing this book for review.
November 24, 2014
I was not impressed with this book at all. No publisher is going to print the work of an author that doesn't know how to write so suffice it to say the author knows his trade. However, the book has significant weaknesses. First, this is a work of historical fiction. For such a book to work for me the plot must be a part of the history that the plot is placed within. For almost the entire length of the book the plot seemed to exist independent of its historical setting. As such, the plot could have been dropped into any time period with only minor adjustments to character names and dates. This plot takes place during the English conflict between King Charles and Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell makes a couple of cameo appearances but otherwise has no meaningful involvement in the plot. This book, however, would have us believe that Cromwell would employ a royalist prisoner to conduct an investigation into some mysterious deaths of young soldiers in his army. Really? Would somebody at Cromwell's level even be aware of such deaths? And then would Parliament's forces be so bereft of reliable and trustworthy men that they would need to use an enemy? More than a bit absurd if you ask me. Then the ending adds a dimension to the history of a significant historical character that, to my knowledge, doesn't exist. So while this book fails to inform the reader of anything substantive about the period it's set in it then goes and alters a part of that history to boot. I like my historical fiction to be accurate about its history and I would also like it to add to my knowledge of the period in question. This book fails on all points. Two stars is probably being generous.
August 18, 2016
I did not finish. After fifty pages of 1st person POV wherein I was introduced to character who did almost no sleuthing and whined constantly about the nastiness of war and missing his wife and children, I gave up.
January 3, 2018
This Civil War mystery immerses us, and William Falkand, in the dark and dirty world of Cromwell's Model Army during one particularly cold and chilling winter. Very atmospheric read.
June 26, 2018
Decent mystery
I did enjoy it but little period mistakes bothered me all the way through. Also: Prince Rupert is not famous for having a terrier.
I did enjoy it but little period mistakes bothered me all the way through. Also: Prince Rupert is not famous for having a terrier.
August 20, 2018
Great read
Loved this book and its sequel. Hope to see more from this author at some point in the near future
Loved this book and its sequel. Hope to see more from this author at some point in the near future
May 20, 2016
William Falkland is a dead man. Due to be hanged for fighting against Parliament in a Royalist Dragoon, which means he's been getting well acquainted with Newgate Prison. One day, a day he's assuming is his execution date, he's led out with a sack over his head, but instead of taking a short walk to the hangman's noose, he finds himself face to face with Oliver Cromwell.
Cromwell has heard of Falkland's investigative skills, but more importantly, that he stood up to the King and hung a guilty man in the name of justice when ordered to let it go, in short, he knows that he's a man of conscience, which is exactly what he needs. You see, his New Model army has a problem, it's a nest of vipers, full of untrustworthy people, and there just so happens to have been a slew of deaths sweeping the camp in Devon. All Falkland has to do is discover the truth, and he's a free man.
Falkland soon discovers that there's more to these deaths than meets the eye. There's a grander scheme at work and it goes high up the totem of power. Will he be able to stop what's happening? Will he be able to save himself?
The Royalist sucks you straight in to the world, the time and the setting. It's very vivid and atmospheric and you can easily get a feel for England at the time. The politics of the time and the circumstances are very well explained without giving you too much information so you're bogged down, you're concisely told everything you need to know, to have a picture of the current war, the politics, the religion and so on. I actually have a better understanding of that period of time than I did before, I knew the basic details and have read a couple of books set around the time, but none with this level of detail that gave me this much understanding. It's clearly very well researched and all this research is relayed perfectly, giving you only the bits and pieces you need.
I found the setting to be, like I said, vivid, and very colourful. I thought the setting was quite unique, I mean the books I've read around this time period where either from the Royalist side of things, or where focused in London, I've not read a book that is set in the camp of the New Model army, nor read one that reveals just how flawed the army was with the press ganging Royalists, and the clashing religions and so on. You got a strong sense of the uncertainty of the time, and the fear and superstition.
I know I keep going on about the politics and how well explained it is, but seriously, usually when I read books like this, I get so confused and have no idea what they're talking about. It's so well explained, the politics and religion etc, that when the big reveal was made or the plan or whatever you want to call it, I immediately understood the implications without having to wait for the proper explanation and that is a really rare occurrence for me!
The characters where well written and had plenty of depth, it'll be interesting to see more of Falkland. I was very suspicious of Warbeck in the beginning, and he turned out to be way different than I thought he was and had way more going on than first appeared! Miss Cain was very brave and strong, and Falkland was well....he was a deserving hero, he earned the title. I was impressed with how he wasn't swayed by people and his intelligence, usually I'm shouting at the book because it's SO OBVIOUS AND YOU'RE NOT GETTING IT, but with this I was like "oh thank God he has a brain!", I was following his same thought process, so I didn't have an advantage on him or anything like that. The plot twists and turns where shocking to me, I couldn't predict them, I had theories sure, but all where wrong.
The plot was complex, there where layers as all was not as it seemed and there was a lot going on. The Royalist was a very enjoyable and refreshing read that gave you a new understanding of the time and the New Model army and how it was anything but united, there was one niggling little thing though. I felt like the ending was a smidge rushed, it wasn't as strong as it could have been, it just fell a bit flat.
Cromwell has heard of Falkland's investigative skills, but more importantly, that he stood up to the King and hung a guilty man in the name of justice when ordered to let it go, in short, he knows that he's a man of conscience, which is exactly what he needs. You see, his New Model army has a problem, it's a nest of vipers, full of untrustworthy people, and there just so happens to have been a slew of deaths sweeping the camp in Devon. All Falkland has to do is discover the truth, and he's a free man.
Falkland soon discovers that there's more to these deaths than meets the eye. There's a grander scheme at work and it goes high up the totem of power. Will he be able to stop what's happening? Will he be able to save himself?
The Royalist sucks you straight in to the world, the time and the setting. It's very vivid and atmospheric and you can easily get a feel for England at the time. The politics of the time and the circumstances are very well explained without giving you too much information so you're bogged down, you're concisely told everything you need to know, to have a picture of the current war, the politics, the religion and so on. I actually have a better understanding of that period of time than I did before, I knew the basic details and have read a couple of books set around the time, but none with this level of detail that gave me this much understanding. It's clearly very well researched and all this research is relayed perfectly, giving you only the bits and pieces you need.
I found the setting to be, like I said, vivid, and very colourful. I thought the setting was quite unique, I mean the books I've read around this time period where either from the Royalist side of things, or where focused in London, I've not read a book that is set in the camp of the New Model army, nor read one that reveals just how flawed the army was with the press ganging Royalists, and the clashing religions and so on. You got a strong sense of the uncertainty of the time, and the fear and superstition.
I know I keep going on about the politics and how well explained it is, but seriously, usually when I read books like this, I get so confused and have no idea what they're talking about. It's so well explained, the politics and religion etc, that when the big reveal was made or the plan or whatever you want to call it, I immediately understood the implications without having to wait for the proper explanation and that is a really rare occurrence for me!
The characters where well written and had plenty of depth, it'll be interesting to see more of Falkland. I was very suspicious of Warbeck in the beginning, and he turned out to be way different than I thought he was and had way more going on than first appeared! Miss Cain was very brave and strong, and Falkland was well....he was a deserving hero, he earned the title. I was impressed with how he wasn't swayed by people and his intelligence, usually I'm shouting at the book because it's SO OBVIOUS AND YOU'RE NOT GETTING IT, but with this I was like "oh thank God he has a brain!", I was following his same thought process, so I didn't have an advantage on him or anything like that. The plot twists and turns where shocking to me, I couldn't predict them, I had theories sure, but all where wrong.
The plot was complex, there where layers as all was not as it seemed and there was a lot going on. The Royalist was a very enjoyable and refreshing read that gave you a new understanding of the time and the New Model army and how it was anything but united, there was one niggling little thing though. I felt like the ending was a smidge rushed, it wasn't as strong as it could have been, it just fell a bit flat.
December 14, 2015
‘The Royalist’ is the first book about William Falkland by S. J. Deas, set during the English Civil War. The main character, William Falkland fought for the king but was captured. As the novel opens he is awaiting execution, but then has a surprising meeting with Oliver Cromwell, who wants him to investigate some suspicious deaths in an army camp. To do what Cromwell wants is the only way that Falkland can save his own life, and return to his family.
‘The Royalist’ is a real page-turner, with many plot twists which keep you guessing to the very end. Are the deaths suicides, or something more sinister? What is the reason for Cromwell calling on a royalist to investigate, rather than one of his own men? Falkland finds the answers Cromwell wants (no spoilers here!) and is free to return to his family.
Deas masterfully weaves a detective story with a picture of life during the English Civil War. Rather than a straight history, details of the war are revealed through conversations amongst the characters, as part of the plot rather than a telling of facts. Deas also conjures the feelings of insecurity, threat, suspense and suspicion which were rife in England at the time as friends, neighbours and families chose sides and fought for what they believed was right.
'The Royalist' is a thoroughly enjoyable historical mystery. The characters are well-rounded and totally believable. Falkland is a sympathetic hero, Miss Cain is a resourceful woman who ably assists in the investigations, and the initially simple Warbeck turns out to be a more complex character than first imagined. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel to this book.
‘The Royalist’ is a real page-turner, with many plot twists which keep you guessing to the very end. Are the deaths suicides, or something more sinister? What is the reason for Cromwell calling on a royalist to investigate, rather than one of his own men? Falkland finds the answers Cromwell wants (no spoilers here!) and is free to return to his family.
Deas masterfully weaves a detective story with a picture of life during the English Civil War. Rather than a straight history, details of the war are revealed through conversations amongst the characters, as part of the plot rather than a telling of facts. Deas also conjures the feelings of insecurity, threat, suspense and suspicion which were rife in England at the time as friends, neighbours and families chose sides and fought for what they believed was right.
'The Royalist' is a thoroughly enjoyable historical mystery. The characters are well-rounded and totally believable. Falkland is a sympathetic hero, Miss Cain is a resourceful woman who ably assists in the investigations, and the initially simple Warbeck turns out to be a more complex character than first imagined. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel to this book.
January 8, 2015
William Falkland is a Royalist dragoon whose fight against the parliamentarian forces of Oliver Cromwell has led him to await his fate in the bowels of Newgate prison. When an old grain sack is slung over his head, and he is led from his cell, Falkland can only hope that the executioner will dispatch him swiftly. However, his astonishment at finding himself facing, not the dreaded executioner, but the deep baritone voice of none other than Oliver Cromwell, is matched only by the proposition Cromwell puts before him. Falkland’s reputation as an investigator precedes him, and Cromwell’s request that Falkland should act as an intelligencer to discover why mysterious deaths are sweeping through his New Model Army is as incongruous as it is intriguing; and one that Falkland, if he values his life, cannot refuse.
What then follows is a murder mystery within a historical setting. The New Model army is depicted with all its faults and failings, and interestingly, it also gives an insight into what it was like to live through the turbulence of the English civil war. Life was no bed of roses for either side and I think this comes across in a realistic manner. The author writes with clear understanding of the period in which the book is set and makes the characters believable.
As this is the first book in a proposed series, there is some scene setting being done, which is necessary if we as readers are going to connect with the central characters. I enjoyed getting to know Falkland, who although deeply flawed, has enough charisma to be able to carry the story forward.
What then follows is a murder mystery within a historical setting. The New Model army is depicted with all its faults and failings, and interestingly, it also gives an insight into what it was like to live through the turbulence of the English civil war. Life was no bed of roses for either side and I think this comes across in a realistic manner. The author writes with clear understanding of the period in which the book is set and makes the characters believable.
As this is the first book in a proposed series, there is some scene setting being done, which is necessary if we as readers are going to connect with the central characters. I enjoyed getting to know Falkland, who although deeply flawed, has enough charisma to be able to carry the story forward.
October 12, 2014
William Falkland languishes in a cell awaiting execution. He is a Royalist soldier captured by Parliamentarians and despite surviving battle he knows he cannot survive capture. Taken from his prison, blindfolded, he expects the worst but is actually shown into the presence of Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell has heard of Falkland, a man whose honour and morals transcend battle, and he tasks Falkland to look into a spate of suicides amongst the New Model Army stationed at Crediton in Devon. Neither prisoner nor loyalist, Falkland must try to get to the bottom of mystery which wraps paranoia and witchcraft around the troubles of a large army encamped in the remains of a small town through a cold and harsh winter.
Deas writes well, the evocation of cold is beautiful and realistic, the descriptions of prison and squalor equally so. The plot is clever and twists and turns seem completely integral to the story. The denouement less so. This is a well-researched book and it comes from a different sort of perspective to many in the 'historical detective' genre, in that it focuses on character and place rather than plot.
A promising start to a projected series.
Deas writes well, the evocation of cold is beautiful and realistic, the descriptions of prison and squalor equally so. The plot is clever and twists and turns seem completely integral to the story. The denouement less so. This is a well-researched book and it comes from a different sort of perspective to many in the 'historical detective' genre, in that it focuses on character and place rather than plot.
A promising start to a projected series.
April 18, 2022
Set during the period of the English Civil Wars, I have to say that I found this to be rather unusual in that it is not about (per se) the wars themselves: rather, it is set in the New Model Army camp over a winter period, between hostilities, with William Falkland (the Royalist of the title) plucked from his prison cell by none other than Oliver Cromwell himself and sent to investigate reports of suicides/disturbances in the camp.
Reading very much like a ECW version of a whodunnit, with the author - in the afterword - not at all shy to point out the influences of the hard-boiled detective hero/film noir of the 40s (think Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler) on this work.
Reading very much like a ECW version of a whodunnit, with the author - in the afterword - not at all shy to point out the influences of the hard-boiled detective hero/film noir of the 40s (think Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler) on this work.
June 18, 2015
An intriguing who/why dunnit set against the backdrop of the English Civil War. William Falkland (the titular Royallist) is pardoned from Parliamentarian prison in exchange or investigating a string of apparent suicides. He discovers something sinister in the New Model Army. The plot genuinely does keep you guessing & Falkland has a cynicism that calls to mind more contemporary detectives that makes him relatable. As an Irish person I'm dubious about fictional depictions of Oliver Cromwell but I actually like Deas take on the character. The plot resolves itself in a way that really does lend itself to the setting which is tangibly depicted. I'm actually inspired to read up on the time period in question which is always a good sign. Definitely recommended for people on the intersection of the venn diagram between crime & historical fiction.
May 27, 2021
A pacy, entertaining and generally competent historical mystery whose strengths lie in its characters, and - sadly - whose weaknesses lie in everything else.
Falkner himself is engaging, if a little prone to forever whinging about the obligatory wife and children from whom he is separated, and has some moments of genuinely hilarious insight. Kate Cain holds the fort nicely as the requisite Only Female Character, but Cromwell's real intelligencer steals the show in absolutely every scene he's in.
The central question of the reason behind the multiple suicides in New Model Army camp at Crediton is intriguing, and certainly begets a lot of theories in the mind of both protagonist and reader, but sadly the end result is much less exciting than both of those.
Still, if you want to scratch an itch leftover from the likes of C.J. Sansom, then you could certainly do a lot worse.
Falkner himself is engaging, if a little prone to forever whinging about the obligatory wife and children from whom he is separated, and has some moments of genuinely hilarious insight. Kate Cain holds the fort nicely as the requisite Only Female Character, but Cromwell's real intelligencer steals the show in absolutely every scene he's in.
The central question of the reason behind the multiple suicides in New Model Army camp at Crediton is intriguing, and certainly begets a lot of theories in the mind of both protagonist and reader, but sadly the end result is much less exciting than both of those.
Still, if you want to scratch an itch leftover from the likes of C.J. Sansom, then you could certainly do a lot worse.
September 30, 2014
The Royalist by Stephen Deas is the first in a new historical crime series featuring William Falkland, former soldier with the Cavalier army. Languishing in Newgate prison he thinks he will leave to go to the hangman’s noose. However, he ends up in front of Oliver Cromwell who dispatches him off to investigate a series of supposed suicides by young men plaguing Cromwell’s New Model army. This was an interesting book with a strong sense of the terror and uncertainty of the time. The lease of life granted to Falkland by Crowell hangs heavily over him, and the struggle between life and a man who thought he had resigned himself to a lonely death was fascinating. [I received an advance copy of this from Netgalley in exchange for a review]
November 18, 2015
I don't generally like books with historical background unless the exposition is really well made and not 5 chapters of where you're at at the moment. And this book totally understood my doubts and made the exposition super fun and easy to understand (plus for me because I suck at history...). The whole New Army and religion mix was amazing, too. And the characters were all great, though I would've liked a bit more development for Warbeck because he seemed like an awesome character and I really want to know his back story, but I guess we shall find that out in the next book =D I can't wait to get it x3. Anywho, loved the plot development and the characters and, for me, that is wonderful because I don't generally like these kinds of books. I totally recommend =D
March 3, 2015
A fun and informative book set in 1645. The story follows the fortune of one man, William Falkland, who is saved from the gallows by Cromwell and is sent to investigate the mysteries deaths of a group of boys. He finds much more than he bargained for and one again ends up in a prison cell.
The style of writing is such that it makes for a quick read. The story itself allows the reader to experience life as a soldier during the Civil War. The descriptions of the sights and smells is such that you can truly imagine what it was like to live in an army camp.
I shall be keeping an eye out for future stories featuring William Falkland.
The style of writing is such that it makes for a quick read. The story itself allows the reader to experience life as a soldier during the Civil War. The descriptions of the sights and smells is such that you can truly imagine what it was like to live in an army camp.
I shall be keeping an eye out for future stories featuring William Falkland.
November 28, 2016
This is an historical-crime page-turner. Really 3.5 stars.
The visceral descriptions of a winter in the middle of England's civil war are vivid and provide the perfect bleak backdrop to 'should-be-dead' former cavalier Falkland's investigations.
The notion of a former king's man being asked to investigate a crime for Cromwell is interesting and intriguing.
Fans of both the historical and crime genres will enjoy- although a passing knowledge of the historical period (and the political and religious turmoil of that time) is really necessary to understand a lot of nuances in this.
The visceral descriptions of a winter in the middle of England's civil war are vivid and provide the perfect bleak backdrop to 'should-be-dead' former cavalier Falkland's investigations.
The notion of a former king's man being asked to investigate a crime for Cromwell is interesting and intriguing.
Fans of both the historical and crime genres will enjoy- although a passing knowledge of the historical period (and the political and religious turmoil of that time) is really necessary to understand a lot of nuances in this.
July 17, 2016
A whodunit set in the English Civil War period. Falkland, a Royalist, awaits death but instead finds himself tasked with a mystery to solve. A Royalist sent to the New Model Army to discover the reality behind a number of supposed suicides. The tale romps along nicely. The characters are believable and the setting in the later years of the war. There's intrigue and some nice twists. However, the hero comes a cropper a few too many times for my liking but even still it is a good tale.
September 8, 2014
This is definitely one for fans of Sansom & Parrish. An enjoyable well written historical fiction novel which is a real page turner. Why 4 stars and not 5, up to the last few chapters it was 5 star, unfortunately the ending lets it down, I think the author is looking for a series here rather than finishing it off, would have prefered a conclusive end.
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
March 7, 2015
A good first book in what will hopefully prove to be a series. The main protagonist, William Falkland, is a man with a conscience, a King's man who is sent by Cromwell to investigate a number of suicides in his army. I agree with other reviewers - the final denouement was not particularly satisfying and the ending felt very, very rushed. A shame as, otherwise, it was an interesting read.
December 23, 2015
I was not in the mood for this one. Seemed to be too predictable for my tastes.
June 27, 2017
A book full of surprises. An author that I've not come cross before, writing about Oliver Cromwell and his New Model Army, not the glamorous Cavaliers, and at the end of the Civil War - not the beginning. And it all works very well. More a detective story than pure historical fiction, but the period of religious and moral uncertainty lends itself to this type of story. I'm looking forward to reading the next William Falkland historical mystery.
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